Texas is one of the top states for house flipping, but it comes with challenges like fluctuating property values and renovation costs. If you've flipped properties in Texas, what have been your biggest lessons learned...

it is rewarding if you invest the time with not only the rental but the tenants.  

@Josh WellsRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Do you check Landlord references?

It’s a bit of “high risk, high reward” thinking.

I would like to believe it was inadvertent and not purposeful as an additional negative reference!

Does he have references you can talk to?

They legitimately feel that it would be amazing to sell to us.While everyone just turns off their brains, and work harder instead of smarter just for that illusion: "see I did so much work,  it has to mean I am closer to the reward", but sadly it is all it is an illusion.I rather work smarter, not harder and have whoever that is motivated, come and find me, instead of me chasing them.

That was what this was in reference to.  

It certainly isn't next to passive like LTR'S  can be.Vacation rentals can also be very rewarding and fun to own.